Bill would increase California's regulations of mixed-martial arts

SACRAMENTO -- Dubbing it the "Rumble in the Rotunda," Assemblymember Luis Alejo on Wednesday aired a bill aimed at cleaning up what he called abuses in the growing sport of mixed-martial arts.

A former amateur wrestler, Alejo has been a longtime fan of MMA fighting. He said he wants to prevent fighters from being exploited through new regulations on common industry practices, often enforced through promotional contracts.

"I'm a fan of the sport. I've been a fan since the first fight in 1993. But we're trying to create some fairness and equity for these fighters in these contracts," Alejo said.

Though a state Assembly hearing room is hardly a steel cage, hulking MMA fighters clamored over each other for seat at a witness table. On hand was former champion Chuck Liddell, an MMA legend who spoke against the bill, as well as former champ Frank Shamrock, who spoke in favor.

All took seats next to Alejo, the first-term Democrat from Watsonville. After numerous amendments, including one that removed a portion of the bill establishing a pension fund for fighters, the bill was passed 5-2 by the committee.

In January, an ESPN report questioned the low pay of many entry-level fighters, a report criticized by leaders of Ultimate Fighting Championship, the sport's preeminent organization. The bill would address some issues raised in the report.

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Alejo wants to eliminate what he sees as abusive contracts, freeing up fighters to make more money. Assembly Bill 2100 would prevent promoters from claiming unreasonable future merchandising rights, prevent unreasonable restrictions on fighters' seeking outside sponsors and prohibit other onerous contract provisions.

The bill is favored by unions, but opposed by UFC parent company Zuffa LLC and venues such as San Jose's HP Pavilion, which hosts numerous MMA events, including an upcoming May 19 Strikeforce heavyweight bout.

Ronda Rousey, a current bantamweight champion who notched not only the title belt but two dislocated elbows in the past six months, testified that although she started fighting for free, her pay increased as she won.

"This is a performance-based business. If you're bad at your job, you shouldn't expect people to pay you," Rousey said.

Because the bill implicates contracts, it would have a much broader effect than just California fight. HP Pavilion officials declined to comment, but provided a letter they'd sent to Alejo protesting the bill.

In it, HP officials said MMA events contribute $6 million to San Jose' economy and contribute to the California State Athletic Commission, which currently regulates MMA fights, boxing and other sports. General manager Jim Goddard and chief financial officer Charles Faas said the bill may prove too onerous to fight organizers.

"As a consequence, promoters could very easily choose not to hold their events in California," they wrote.

The hearing included numerous fighters, and probably some of the only legislative witnesses to have sported mohawks. Some spoke in against the bill while other testified in support, but Alejo said many are intimidated into silence.

"It common knowledge among the sport that if many fighters speak up," Alejo said. "Then they're not going to get a fight in the future."